AI whipping out art faster than a printer at FedEx

TSUUNAMI

10/27/20243 min read

So, we’ve got AI whipping out art faster than a printer at FedEx and composing music like it’s channeling Mozart in overdrive. Alright, let’s be real—AI isn’t just playing backup anymore; it’s barging in, taking the front seat, and cranking out visuals and tunes like it’s got deadlines to meet. With tools like Suno and RenderNet in overdrive, the creative world’s got some serious questions: Is AI here to steal the show, or can we keep this new player in check? Time to dive into the AI takeover in art and music, the classic speed vs. soul debate, and how the good ol’ human touch is fighting for its life.

Speed vs. Soul: Can AI Capture Emotion?

Let’s be honest—AI’s biggest flex? Speed. This tech can spit out hundreds of images before you can even warm up your coffee or churn out music tracks faster than your favorite DJ can drop a beat. But here’s the catch: can AI create “soul”? Sure, it can mimic and follow trends like a pro, but real emotion? Not so much. A study from the University of California showed 75% of people still lean toward human-made art for its “soul” factor. AI art might look slick, but that heartstring-pulling magic? It’s still in human hands.

AI’s Shakeup: How It’s Changing Art and Music

For artists, AI is both an opportunity and a bit of a boogeyman. Here’s how it’s shaking things up:

Visual Artists: Tools like DALL-E and Midjourney can crank out artwork in any style faster than you can say, “deadline.” While great for quick projects, AI still can’t bring the same punch a human can in custom pieces.

Musicians and Producers: AI can put out beats, harmonies, even full tracks based on patterns and prompts. Handy for stock tunes, but if you want music that really hits, people are still calling on real musicians.

Graphic Designers: In the EU, designers typically bring home around €3,500/month before tax. Meanwhile, AI can generate designs for a fraction of the cost, making it tough for designers to stand out without that extra human flair.

Photographers and Video Editors: AI’s getting quick at enhancing photos and editing videos, but even if AI has a quick eye, it still doesn’t have that “I’ve been there” storytelling sense of a real editor.

Show Me the Money: AI vs. Human Costs

So what’s the bottom line for AI versus humans in the creative economy?

  1. Visual Artists: €3,500/month for a human vs. €800/month for AI. AI is cheaper, but those looking for heart still turn to humans.

  2. Music Producers: Humans make about €4,500/month, AI does it for €1,000/month. AI fits well for commercial jingles, but big music moments? That’s still human territory.

  3. Graphic Designers: €3,200/month for humans vs. €700/month for AI. Repetitive work is AI’s jam, but when it comes to originality, humans are still the go-to.

  4. Photographers & Video Editors: Humans take home €4,200/month, while AI runs at €900/month. AI can handle edits, but humans bring that “big picture” magic.

Protecting the Art Hustle: Regulation and Recognition

With AI coming for creative jobs, some artists are getting protective, and governments are listening up. Countries are floating the idea of “human-made” labels for art and might start regulating AI’s creative reach. Imagine a world where we’re picking between AI art for quantity and human art for quality—like choosing organic over fast food. Who knew art could get this spicy?

Human-Made Art in an AI-Driven World: The New “Vintage”?

As AI keeps cranking out content, real-deal human art might just be the next big flex. Think about it—like vinyl records or handmade leather jackets, human-made art could become the rare, collectible treasure. It’s not about making AI the villain; it’s about drawing the line. The future could be a chill balance, with AI churning out content and humans bringing the heat where it counts.

The Bottom Line: A New Era of Creative Tag-Teams?

AI isn’t here to shove artists out—it’s more like an overly enthusiastic intern pushing everyone to up their game. AI can churn out quantity, but it’s humans who’ll keep bringing the feels. Because while a machine might paint, mix, or edit, it can’t dream. And at the end of the day, it’s the soul that makes art and music real.